Dementia is a term for a group of symptoms that affect memory, thinking, and social abilities severely enough to interfere with daily life. While it’s a common misconception that dementia is a normal part of aging, it’s not. Catching the early signs is crucial for getting a diagnosis and creating a care plan that can help improve the quality of life for the person affected and their family. Often, these early signs are subtle and easily mistaken for the normal quirks of aging. This blog post explores ten such signs that families might overlook.
Table of Contents
What Exactly is Dementia?
The 10 Early Signs of Dementia Families Often Miss
Real-Life Case Studies
When to Take Action: Age and Early Signs
The Role of a Professional Carer
FAQs
What exactly dementia is ?
Dementia isn’t a single disease but an umbrella term for a range of neurodegenerative conditions. The most common form is
10 early signs of dementia families offern miss
Memory Loss That Disrupts Daily Life 🤯 It’s normal to forget an appointment or a name and remember it later. But a person with early dementia may forget recently learned information, important dates, or events and never recall them. They might ask the same questions repeatedly and rely more on memory aids.
Difficulty Completing Familiar Tasks This isn’t about forgetting where you put your keys. It’s about forgetting how to make a cup of tea or how to drive to a familiar location. The person might struggle with tasks that were once routine, like managing a budget or remembering the rules of a favorite game.
Challenges in Planning or Problem-Solving Tasks that require a series of steps, like following a recipe or paying monthly bills, can become confusing. The person may find it difficult to concentrate and take much longer to do things than they used to.
Confusion with Time or Place A person with dementia may lose track of dates, seasons, and the passage of time. They might get confused about where they are or how they got there. They may even believe they are in a different time period.
Trouble Understanding Visual Images and Spatial Relationships This sign is often overlooked or mistaken for vision problems. Someone with dementia may have difficulty reading, judging distance, or recognizing contrast and color. This can make activities like driving dangerous.
New Problems with Words in Speaking or Writing Struggling to follow or join a conversation is a common sign. They may stop in the middle of a sentence and not know how to continue, or they may repeat themselves. Finding the right word can become a significant challenge.
Misplacing Things and Losing the Ability to Retrace Steps While we all misplace our keys sometimes, a person with dementia might put things in unusual places—like a phone in the refrigerator or a wallet in the oven. They are then unable to retrace their steps and may even accuse others of stealing.
Poor or Decreased Judgment This can manifest as making uncharacteristically poor decisions with money, like giving away large sums to telemarketers. It can also show up as neglecting personal hygiene or making inappropriate social comments.
Withdrawal from Work or Social Activities Someone with early dementia might start to pull away from hobbies, social gatherings, or work. This could be due to feeling overwhelmed, embarrassed, or anxious about their changing abilities.
Changes in Mood and Personality Personality shifts are a key indicator. The person might become confused, suspicious, depressed, fearful, or anxious. They might become easily upset in situations where they would normally be calm.
Real-Life Case Studies
Case Study 1: Raj, the Engineer Raj, a 58-year-old engineer, was known for his meticulous attention to detail and his love for gardening. His family first noticed a change when he started leaving tools in odd places—his gardening shears in the kitchen pantry, for example. He also began struggling with his work, missing deadlines and having trouble with complex calculations he once did with ease. These were initially attributed to work stress. However, when he started getting lost on his daily walk to the park and accused his wife of moving his tools to “mess with him,” his family sought medical help. Raj was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s.
Case Study 2: Joan, the Social Butterfly Joan, an 80-year-old widow, had always been the life of the party, hosting bridge games and neighborhood dinners. Over a year, her friends and family noticed she had become withdrawn. She stopped attending social events, claiming she was tired. In conversations, she would often repeat the same stories or forget what was being discussed. Her daughter also noticed that Joan was wearing the same stained dress for several days, something she never would have done before. This change in personality and personal judgment led to a diagnosis of Lewy body dementia.
When to Take Action: Age and Early Signs
an aged woman
The average age for symptoms of late-onset Alzheimer’s to appear is in the
The Role of a Professional Carer
Professional carers play a vital role in managing dementia. They are trained to provide personalized care that focuses on the person’s physical and emotional well-being.
What exactly do carers do? Carers assist with daily tasks that a person with dementia may find challenging. This can include help with bathing, dressing, and grooming. They also provide emotional support and companionship, which is crucial for reducing feelings of loneliness and anxiety. Carers often use specialized communication techniques to help the person feel understood and can help create a structured, calming environment.
How helpful is hiring a carer? Hiring a professional carer can be immensely helpful for both the person with dementia and their family. For the person with dementia, a carer helps them maintain a sense of dignity and independence in a familiar environment. For families, it can alleviate the immense stress and emotional toll of providing 24/7 care. A carer provides a much-needed break for family members, allowing them to tend to their own needs and preventing caregiver burnout. It ensures the person receives consistent, knowledgeable care and promotes a safer living environment.
FAQs
Q: Are these signs always a definite indication of dementia? A: No, many of these signs can be caused by other treatable conditions, such as vitamin deficiencies, thyroid problems, infections, or depression. That’s why a medical evaluation is essential for an accurate diagnosis.
Q: Can a healthy lifestyle prevent dementia? A: While there’s no guaranteed way to prevent dementia, a healthy lifestyle can significantly reduce your risk. This includes regular physical exercise, a balanced diet (like the Mediterranean diet), staying socially and mentally active, and managing conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes.
Q: What should I do if I notice these signs in a family member? A: The first and most important step is to schedule an appointment with their doctor. It’s often helpful to accompany them to the appointment and share a list of the specific changes you’ve observed. Early diagnosis is key to a better quality of life and future planning.
